Plans to take children's services in West Sussex out of council control have been suspended
Plans to take children's services in West Sussex out of council control and into an independent trust have been suspended.
However, following recent improvements in the way the service is run, the Department for Education has been decided the Council should keep control of the department for another 12 months. It will then be reviewed.
The report said there were ‘compelling reasons why a company to deliver children’s services functions on behalf of the Council is no longer required’ and instead the Council should retain control of its children’s services for a period of twelve months.
The Minister said that while she was confident ‘the building blocks were in place for improvements’ she was clear that there was still much more to do, adding: “It is clear that there is still much work to do to address the weaknesses identified in 2019, and bring the standard of service up to the quality that children and families in West Sussex deserve.”
Paul Marshall, Leader of the Council, said: “This is a significant step for the Council and demonstrates a huge amount of hard work by a great number of people but, more importantly, it is crucial for children and families living in our county."